Page 37 of Distinctly Daray
To Keegan’s horror, Phillip’s shoulders slumped. He bent his head so Keegan couldn’t read the emotion in his eyes. “If you have a dragon keeping you from being as proficient as your brethren, yes.”
Keegan didn’t care where he was or who else was in the room. He slipped his daggers into the holster at his waist and tugged his still-armed mate into his embrace.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel less than any other sentinel.”
The weapons in Phillip’s hands must’ve disappeared, because suddenly there were two warm palms rubbing Keegan’s back. “Sunshine, I will not accept your apology. It is not your fault I have struggled. You have made it better. Every day you and Victor make it better.”
“Good, I know I speak for both me and Victor when I say that’s what we want for you. I long for you to have a wonderful relationship with your dragon. And I want you to make it through a day without a potion and for you to have the final say on the goals you set for yourself. No more being locked up or relying on stasis. You and your dragon deserve that.”
“He and I are both very fond of you at this moment.”
“Is everything okay?” Samson asked quietly from next to them.
Phillip pulled slightly away, smiled at Keegan, and brushed their mouths together. “We are well.”
“Great, why don’t you two head to the cafeteria? I’ll call a cat shifter I know and tell him to get over there to meet you.”
“Victor’s bringing Evergreen and Dudley; we have to wait for them,” Keegan said.
“What, and they can’t sneak out a few minutes early? Please. Alaric’s in the Main Assembly Hall with all the other leaders,” Samson said.
“And it’s not as if Alaric can fire them,” Brynnius added. “We would be lost without them.”
Keegan grabbed Phillip’s hand. “Let’s go, Phillip, before they change their minds.”
“Why would we do that?” Brynnius asked as Keegan led Phillip toward the door.
“I have no clue, B.”
“I can’t wait to watch you greet Victor with a kiss,” Phillip said once they were in the hallway.
“I know the feeling,” Keegan replied with a grin as he tugged Phillip to encourage him to pick up speed.
Chapter 14
Victor had barely opened his eyes after Evergreen teleported him and Dudley to the Ascension Center when his best friend grabbed his hand.
“Hurry up,” Evergreen hissed as he hustled them through the hallway.
“Slow down,” Victor pleaded.
“Slow down?” Evergreen repeated incredulously. “Are you out of your damn mind? Why would I slow down? Ihaveto meet your mates.”
“They are waiting for us, and we are having lunch with them,” Dudley pointed out from behind them. “We do not need to run.”
“Who’s running?” Evergreen demanded as he yanked on Victor’s arm.
“I’m going to trip,” Victor complained, trying to keep his balance.
Evergreen huffed. “Normally I applaud you wearing a heeled boot, but today it’s irritating.”
They’d been frighteningly expensive, but Victor loved the mixture of patterns on his boots. Like his bedroom, the dominant colors were pink and aqua. They were a greatcompliment to the blue-green pants he’d paired with a vivid top in the same rose shade as his footwear.
It was rare for Victor to indulge himself with such an extravagant purchase, but he worked hard and saved far more than he spent. Or at least that was how he consoled himself when he thought about how much money had left his bank account for a single pair of boots.
Since it was pointless to argue with an excited Evergreen, Victor glared and didn’t comment as they turned a corner and raced along another corridor.
“Stop giving me that look; I know you’re excited to see your men,” Evergreen chided.
